Cantonment Man Allegedly Threatened To Shoot His Wife And Daughter
July 11, 2019
A Cantonment man allegedly threatened to shoot his wife and daughter during a disturbance.
Arthur Linwood Emerson, 62, was charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to a disturbance on Filley Road after receiving reports that Emerson had a gun and made the statement that he was going to shoot everyone.
When deputies arrived at the residence, they were told that Emerson had waved the gun towards his daughter and his wife. Deputies could hear arguing coming from the garage as they approached and found Emerson sitting in a chair inside. Emerson was taken into custody, and a Remington .380 was located in right front pocket.
His wife told deputies that he had been drinking and an argument ensued over the daughter not keeping a job, according to an arrest report, before he waved the gun and threatened to shoot.
Emerson told deputies that he did have the firearm in his possession, but he never pulled it out, the report states. He said he would never hurt his wife or daughter.
Emerson was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $2,000 bond.
Deputy Adopts Kitten He Rescued From Storm Drain
July 11, 2019
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy has a new furbaby that he rescued from a storm drain.
Deputy C. Bowling was working patrol last week and stopped at a Tom Thumb near Pace and Navy Boulevards. As he returned to his vehicle, he heard crying in dark and took off to find the source. After some searching, his flashlight caught some movement in the storm drain.
His flashlight revealed two tiny eyes staring back at him. He tried to use some tuna to lure the kitten out but the kitten was so young he wasn’t interested. Deputy Bowling was finally able to get close enough to the kitten to grab it. The poor thing was dirty and flea-covered and no mother could be located.
When Deputy Bowling took the kitten to the vet to get him medical attention, the vet said had he not rescued the kitten when he did that the kitten would have not made it. Deputy Bowling and his wife adopted the little kitten and named him Rambo.
Rambo is doing well, now clean and flea-free. Rambo, as pictured below, is definitely enjoying his new home and snuggle time with his new family.
Escambia County To Provide Century Redevelopment Area Executive Director
July 11, 2019
Escambia County will provide an executive director for the the Century Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) through an interlocal agreement that is in the works.
The Century town council, acting as the CRA board, will meet Monday, July 15 at 6 p.m. at town hall, and the county will consider the interlocal agreement at their July 18 meeting.
In October 2018, the council approved a Tax Increment Financing plan for their redevelopment area, allowed the CRA to receive property tax revenues each year in excess of an established base rate. The appraised value of the property within the designated district was “frozen”this year, with that amount of tax revenue generated still designated for the town’s general fund, the county and other taxing authorities.
The redevelopment area will receive 95 percent of the property tax generated in excess of the frozen base value as property values rise. It is estimated that will amount to about $10,000 the first year for the beginning in 2020.
The CRA funds will be used to improve conditions in the 510 acres, bounded by Jefferson Avenue to the south, Jefferson Avenue to the east, East High 4 to the north and the center line of North Century Boulevard to the west. It also extends north on the east side of North Century Boulevard to include commercial properties up to, and including, the former Burger King.
The CRA received no funding to date because the base year for tax increment financing was established in 2018. The CRA will see its first redevelopment trust fund money next fiscal year.
Tax Increment Financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activities in the targeted redevelopment area. Property owners in the CRA will pay the same tax rate as those in the remainder of the town.
TIF revenue can be used on a “pay as you go” basis, where the annual stream of revenue is used to fund small projects, or used to pay debt service costs over the life of a project lasting 10 or more years. Historically in Florida, TIF has been effective at generating large amounts of funding for capital investments for roadway improvements, flood control programs, water and sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements, parking lots and garages, neighborhood parks, sidewalks, street and sidewalk tree plantings, signs and building construction.
After a February 2016 tornado damaged or destroyed 40 homes and businesses, the town looked to address the long-term effects on the community of a downturn in economic development. That led to the redevelopment area.
The CRA plan sets a roadmap for future development and spending to eliminate existing conditions of blight and to encourage continued private investment. The plan also provides a framework for coordinating and facilitating public and private redevelopment within the area.
Review the Century CRA plan by clicking here.
NorthEscambia.com images, click to enlarge.
Free Soccer Clinic For Kids Ages 5-12 Next Week
July 11, 2019
Pensacola Sports will hold its 8th Annual Kickstart Soccer Clinic July 16-18. It is a free, fun and safe introduction to the sport of soccer for kids ages 5-12.
All participants will receive free soccer instruction from local high school and club coaches, as well as a ball, shin guards, and other giveaways from event sponsors.
Kids ages 5-8 will check-in at 8:30 a.m. with instruction from 8:45-10:15 a.m., while kids ages 9-12 will be from 10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. This schedule will continue all three days, weather permitting.
Participants must wear closed-toe shoes (cleats are not mandatory) and are encouraged to bring a water bottle, hat, and sunscreen.
In addition to the instruction, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office will be providing several demonstrations for the participants.
Online registration is available through the start of camp. To register, or for more information, click here. Onsite registration is also available each morning before the clinic begins. The clinic will be held at the Brent Football Field located at 4711 N. “W” St.
Search Underway For Escaped Alabama Prison Inmate
July 11, 2019
A prison inmate sentenced in Escambia County, AL, escaped from a work release center Wednesday night.
Travis Wyatt Dawson, 41, escaped from Loxley Work Release at about 9 p.m. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and black pants.
Dawson was sentenced to 20 years in 2013 on a possession of a controlled substance conviction in Escambia County, AL.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Alabama Department of Corrections at (800) 831-8825 or 911.
Cantonment Man Charged With Striking Fiancee, Fighting With Two Deputies
July 10, 2019
A Cantonment man is facing charges after allegedly hitting his fiancee in the face and getting into a fight with two deputies.
Michael Justin Spencer, 35, was charged with battery, felony hindering and delaying communication to a law enforcement officer and two felony counts of battery on a law enforcement officer.
His fiancee told Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies that the couple was on their way back home from hanging out with friends when he snapped and hit her in the face. He allegedly pulled her out of the vehicle, slammed her to the ground and smashed her phone before she could call law enforcement for help.
As a deputy attempted to detain Spencer, he snatched away and placed “his hands up as if he was going to fight me”, a deputy wrote in his report. “I then grabbed Michael Spencer’s body and escorted him to the ground by his shoulders.”
As the deputy attempted to grab Spencer’s right arm, he broke loose and grabbed the deputy’s duty belt near his pistol. The deputy then struck him once in the face, the report states. “When I tried to grab his wrist again, he grabbed the right side of my duty belt, at which time I delivered another strike to the right side of his face,” the deputy stated. Two deputies were the able to place him in handcuffs.
Spencer refused to stop cursing at deputies and banging around in the back of the deputy’s Tahoe, according to the report. “Michael Spencer was then escorted out of my Tahoe and onto the ground and placed in restraints,” the report states.
Deputies noted that Spencer appeared to be intoxicated and “very angry”.
Spencer was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $10,500 bond.
Driver Wraps Pickup Around Utility Pole
July 10, 2019
A driver lost control and wrapped their pickup truck around a utility pole in Cantonment Monday afternoon. The crash occurred on Highway 95A near Archer Road.
The driver was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The Florida Highway Patrol investigated but has not released additional details.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
No Beach Tolls Of Any Kind During Blue Angels Weekend
July 10, 2019
Beach goers will not be asked to pay the $1 Bob Sikes toll to Pensacola Beach for the Blue Angels airshow. On Tuesday morning, the Visit Pensacola board of directors unanimously agreed to waive the toll fee after District 4 Commissioner Robert Bender approached them with the idea as a way to reduce traffic during one of the busiest weekends on Pensacola Beach. From 12 a.m. Thursday, July 11 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 14, all lanes will be open for all drivers, with no need to stop at the toll booth. SunPass holders will also not be charged during this period for Bob Sikes Bridge usage.
Bender sponsored the $1 toll last weekend to reduce heavy traffic during the busy Fourth of July weekend. The waived fee resulted in a dramatic reduction in travel time, with the average travel time as low as 10 minutes from Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach.
“We want to give a big thank you to Visit Pensacola for waiving the toll fee this weekend and allowing residents and visitors alike the chance to spend less time in traffic and more time enjoying the Blue Angels Airshow weekend,” Bender said.” We’ve seen a significant decrease in travel times during the last couple of weeks when we’ve eliminated cash pay options and are working toward a long-term solution.”
Above and below: A live look at Pensacola Beach traffic at the toll plaza.
Online Fundraiser Underway For Senior Chill Out
July 10, 2019
For the third year in a row, Council on Aging of West Florida has partnered with Home Instead Senior Care to accept monetary donations as part of the annual Senior Chill Out drive, which provides air conditioners and fans to elder adults. Every year, the agency relies heavily on the generous support of Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to provide programs and services that empower seniors to remain independent and to age with dignity. The online fundraiser, called GIVE65, continues through Thursday, July 11 at give65.org/seniorchill.
During the summer, temperatures inside a home without reliable air conditioning can be dangerously high. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to excessive heat because of their body’s decreased ability to regulate changes in temperature. When that happens, senior adults can become dizzy, experience decreased appetite, and suffer a whole host of other complications associated with existing medical conditions and prescription medicines that can further exacerbate these challenges.
During the GIVE65 Event, Council on Aging is raising funds for air conditioners and fans with the hopes of receiving up to $5,000 in matching funds from the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. Donations of $10 or greater are accepted online at give65.org/seniorchill.
“The need for relief from the heat is so great every year,” said John Clark, president and CEO of Council on Aging.
The 65-hour GIVE65 Event concludes at midnight on July 11.
Alabama Prisons Announce New Compensation Packages
July 10, 2019
The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) has announced a new salary and bonus schedule.
ADCO correctional officers will receive a two-step, 5% pay raise and expand the incentive program to include bonuses for additional training and career milestones.
Updates to the ADOC’s comprehensive compensation plan include salary increases, higher guaranteed probationary increases, recruitment and retention bonuses, optional excess annual leave payout, salary grade changes and two new position classifications. This includes:
- Salary increases including a 2% cost-of-living adjustment, effective Sept. 1, and a one-time, 5% raise for employees in the correctional officer series, effective Oct. 1.
- Probationary increases of 5% for employees who meet performance expectations.
- Recruiting and retention bonuses, ranging from $4,500 – $7,500.
- Excess annual leave payout for up to 80 hours of excess annual leave per year.
- Two new position classifications including a new entry-level correctional officer position, Basic Correctional Officer.
- Salary grade changes.
Our employees are our greatest assets and the key to improving prisons in Alabama,” said ADOC Commissioner Jeff Dunn. “Increasing compensation for our security workforce is crucial to recruiting qualified new employees and retaining current ADOC personnel who carry out critical, meaningful work across the state of Alabama.”
NorthEscambia.com photo.